Signal switch



E. C. TAYLOR SIGNAL SWITCH ril 10, 1934.

5 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Dec. 7, 1929 April 10, 1934. E, c, TAYLOR SIGNALSWITCH Filed D60- 7. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 n mo I INVENTOR BY W @711. MM 8/ ATTORIVE? E. C. TAYLOR SIGNAL SWITCH April 10, 1934.

Filed Dec. '7, 19 9 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 aqutrinni INVENTOR 6 a? g & Mam

.1 TTORXEY Patented Apr. 10, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFKIE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in circuit-controlling means andin signal systems,

. and more particularly with reference to certain features, theinvention relates to improvements in multi-contact switches especiallyconstructed and adapted for selective control of a plurality of electriccircuits of signaling systems, and more especially such signalingsystems as are used on vehicles for facilitating movements thereof intraflic.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improvedcircuit-controlling arrangement especially adapted for vehicle andsimilar signaling systems whereby the various control operations may beexecuted with great ease and expedition.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide an improvedcircuit-controlling arrangement for systems of the class mentioned,whereby audible and visual signals may be given and wherein the audiblesignal may be sounded when any one of a plurality of the visual signalsis being displayed.

A further object is to provide an improved universal mounting for thesignal or contact actuator of the signaling system.

Another object is to provide an improved actuator for signaling systemswhereby, upon movement of the actuator in certain planes, visual trailiccontrol signals will be displayed, whereas movement of the actuator in aplane at an angle to the other movements will cause sounding of anaudible signal.

Still another object is to provide an improved switch forcontrollingsignal systems which is especially well adapted for mounting adjacent toa steering wheel of an automobile for easy control by the driver.

Another object is to provide an improved means for locking the circuitactuator in circuit-closing position.

Another object is to provide an improved assembly for an actuator formultiple contact, signal switches.

Another object is to provide an improved arrangement for mounting theflexible contacts of circuit-controlling switches whereby good metallicengagement of the contacts is assured and long life of the contactsprovided for.

Another object is to provide an improved switch arrangement whereby aplurality of circuits may be selectively controlled and another circuitmay be controlled by the same control means when one of the firstcircuits is closed, or when all are open.

the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more complete disclosure of the nature and objects of theinvention, reference is had to the following detaileddescriptionand tothe accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a form of the improved multi-contact switchwith a mounting therefor;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central, vertical, longitudinal section throughthe switch;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but on a smaller-scale and showingthe actuator in a different position;

Fig. 4 is an elevation showing the switch parts in another position, theswitch casing being in section and parts being removed;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, viewing the switch from a differentangle and one of the spring contacts and other parts being removed;

Fig. 6 is a partially disassembled perspective;

Fig. 7 is a plan of the insulating base plate with contacts attached;

Fig. 8 is a bottom perspective of the base plate;

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan thereof;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary central section of the mounting forthe actuator stem;

Fig. 11 is a plan of the base plate per se;

Fig. 12 is a perspective of the lower part of the casing;

Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16 are perspective views of individual parts of theswitch;

Fig. 17 is a perspective of a spring-locking ring for the contact diskassembly;

Fig. 18 is an elevation of the upper part of the casing, parts beingremoved and in section;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 18 showing the operation of theswitch-locking device;

Fig. 20 is an elevation similar to Fig. 5 with parts of the casingremoved, the switch being shown in a different position;

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the casing with the actuator removed;

Figs. 22, 23, 24 and 25 are views of individual parts of the switchlock;

Fig. 26 is a circuit diagram;

Fig. 2'7 is a fragmentary central section of a modified form of contactdisk;

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the contact collar or disk of Fig. 27,and

Fig. 29is a view of a modified form of a switch lock part.

While the invention is shown herein as embodied in a vehicle signalsystem for which it is especially well adapted, yet it will beunderstood that it is adapted also for other uses and in other similarsystems wherein it is desired to selectively control a plurality ofcircuits.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the embodimentsof the-invention there shown, the improved switch indicated generally at30 is carried by a supporting arm 31 which may be provided with a clamp32 for attaching it in position adjacent the steering wheel of anautomobile, the clamp shown being adapted to clamp the support to thesteering column. The supporting arm 31 may be provided with an internalpassageway for housing the cables 33 carrying the control wires 34,which are attached to the several contacts of the switch.

The switch casing comprises a lower part 35 and an upper complementarypart 36 being appropriately shaped to house thevarious switch elements.The switch casing parts may be provided with peripheral outwardlyextending flanges 37 which are adapted to be received between andsupported by lugs or parts of the supporting arm 31. A clamp 38 isadapted to engage one of the flanges 3'7 and a securing screw 39 isprovided whereby the casing may be clamped in position at the extremityof the supporting arm 31.

A base plate 40 of insulating material such as fibre or mica is clampedin position between the flanges 37 of the casing and thus also is heldpermanently in position by means of the clamp 38. This base plate isprovided with a central opening 41 which is preferably reinforced by abearing plate or seat 42, which functions to support the stem 43 of theswitch-controlling actuator indicated generally at 44.

This actuator stem extends at its lower end through the aperture of thebase plate and is formed at its lower extremity to provide an actuatorhead 45. This actuator head at its upper part is slightly greater indiameter than the adjacent part of the stem, thus forming a bearingsurface 46 which, in the form shown, extends peripherally around thestem. This bearing surface 46 contacts with the lower face of the plate42, thus permitting the stem 43 to tilt or rock in any requireddirection upon the bearing surface 46 as a fulcrum, 'as clearly seen inFig. 10.

Adjacent to the peripheral bearing surface 46, the stem is formed toprovide a curved guiding surface 4'7 which cooperates with the adjacentparts of the bearing plate 42 to center the stem, but ofiers noobstruction to the rocking movement of the actuator stem. Also, the stemadjacent the guiding surface 47 may be reduced in diameter, as clearlyseen in Fig. 10, so as to permit the stem to move bodily downwardly to alimited extent, the purpose of which will be clear later on; this alsopermits tilting of the stem.

Above the base plate as clearly seen in Fig. 2, a metallic contact disk48 is supported by the actuator stem through the intermediary of aninsulating bushing or disk 49. Contact disk 48 is thus insulated fromthe stem 43. A compression spring 50 is compressed between the baseplate 40 and the contact disk 48, being in contact with the latter toprovide electrical connection. This spring urges the actuator upwardlycausing the bearing surface 46 to engage the seat afforded by plate 42,thus tending to center the actuator stem and to maintain it in neutralposition as shown in Fig. 2.

A securing device for holding the actuator 44 in position upon the stem43 is provided by a spring locking ring 51 adapted to engage in apcripheral groove 52 of the stem, and to seat in a depression 53 formedin the upper surface of the insulating disk 49. Thus, the locking ringprevents relative upward movement of the insulating disk upon the stem43. Downward movement, however, is permitted whereby the locking ringmay be readily engaged or disengaged.

In the embodiment shown there are four con-e wardly through apertures 56in the base plate,

the upper yielding ends thereof being positioned in proximity to theedge of the contact plate 48, but normally spaced from the latter. Thisarrangement provides a connection for the contact springs which lessensthe tendency of the latter to break through continued flexure thereof,thus increasing the life of the contacts. Also, the back walls of theapertures 56 provide limiting stops to limit movement of the contactsprings toward the contact disk 48. The appropriate circuit wires 34will be connected to the respective 'connecting studs 55.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 13, theactuator spring 50 is provided with aconnecting loop 57 for connection to a connecting stud 58 to which amain lead wire is connected. Also, for the purpose of anchoring thisconnectinglopp in position, an angularly disposed extension or lug 59may be provided which can extend into an appropriate aperture in thebase plate 40. This anchors the con necting loop in position duringinsertion or removal of the connecting stud 58. The spring 50 thusfunctions as a conductor between the contact disk and the stud 58.

Mounted upon the underside of the base plate 40, as clearly shown inFigs. 2, 8 and 9, there is a contact plate 60 having a central portionspaced from the adjacent surface of the base and having spacedsupporting extensions 61 adapted to contact with the base. The yieldingcontact plate 62 has its contact portion adjacent the contact plate 60and extends therefrom between the supports 61 to a connecting stud 63.The contact part of contact spring 62 is juxtaposed to the actuator head45 of the actuator stem 43. Longitudinal downward movement of the stemtherefore will press the spring plate 62 into contact with plate 60,thus effecting closure of a circuit at this point to sound an audiblesignal. As clearly seen in Fig. 2, the contact will be made by thecurved outer end of the spring plate 62 which 1 iii;

tuator handle 64 may be secured to the upper end for manual operation.As best seen in Fig. 21, radiating slots 65 and 66 extend outwardly fromthe center of this opening. These slots form guideways for selectivelypositioning the lateral movements of the actuator stem in differentdirections from its central position. Thus the actuator is uided toselectively control closure of different circuits at the respectivecontact springs 54. It will be observed, moreover, that such contactswill be made with sliding or wiping actions of the edge of the contactdisk 48 with the respective spring contacts 54, thus keeping thecontacts clean and assuring ood electrical connections.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2,19 and 21, it will be seen that theslot 65 is enlarged somewhat at its outer end having a restricted innerportion. A locking member 67 is slidably mounted upon the upper part ofthe stem 43 having a downwardly projecting locking stud 68 of a diameterwhich will pass within the enlarged portion of slot 65, but will notpass through the restricted portion.

A retaining spring 69 is carried by the locking member 67 having spacedarms 70 adapted to engage in a circumferential slot 71 in the stem. Thisretaining spring will, therefore, hold the locking member 67 in raisedposition as shown in Fig. 2. Downward pressure, however, will releasethe retaining spring from its groove and the locking member 67 may beslid downwardly along the stem 43. When the stem is swung to theposition of Fig. 19 and the locking member 67 moved downwardly asdescribed, the locking stud 68 engages in the slot 65. The switchactuator will thus be locked in position to close certain of thecontacts which in the embodiment shown will be the stop signal or lightwhich may thus function as a parking light.

Some of the structural details of the locking member 6'7 are shown inFigs. 22, 23, 24 and 25. The central apertured plate or disk 73 is heldin position above the spring 69 by the inwardly crimped or flangedportion 72 of the easing member. Fig. 25 shows the casing member beforethe crimping thereof.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 21, the casing 36 may be provided with certainlegends or indicia to indicate the signal given when the actuator 44 ismoved in different directions. For example, the arrowheads 75 indicatethat right or lefthand turn signals are given, the legend "slo"indicates that a slow signal is displayed while the signal Stopindicates that a stop signal is displayed.

In order that the upper part 36 of the casing may be readily placed inits proper position upon the insulating base 40 with the slots 65 and 66correctly positioned with reference to the respective contacts, (seeFigs. 6, 20, 21, etc.) lugs 76 may be provided on the casing adapted toengage in corresponding seats or recesses 77 in the base plate. Theseseats are unequally spaced in opposite directions about the disk 40.That is, when two seats are used they are spaced more than 180 degrees(180) apart in one direction and less than 180 degrees (180) apart inthe opposite direction, and the lugs 77 upon the casing 36 arecorrespondingly spaced. Thus the lugs will seat in the correspondingrecesses 77 and the casing will be properly centered only when thecasing is in correct operative position, with the guiding slots andcontacts bearing the correct respective relation with reference to eachother.

form of a ring or collar 35 of the casing may be provided with lugs 78spaced about 180 apart andforming bearings resting against the underside of the base disk 40 at points thereon angularly spaced from thepoints of contact of the supporting flange 37 with the supporting lug 31and with the clamp 38. The lugs 38 thus form fulcrums for the lowercasing 35 by virtue of which, when the clamp 38 is tightened, the diskbase 40 and the upper casing 36 are firmly seated in position in thesupport 31.

A slightly modified form of actuator and actuator disk is shown in Figs.27, 28 and 29. In this form the metallic contact member is in the 79mounted upon the insulating bushing 49, generally similar to the bushing49, which may be similarly mounted upon the actuator stem 43. Theactuator spring 50 is similar to actuator spring 50 but is provided atits upper portion with an extension 80 positioned for contacting withthe contact ring 79 to provide an electrical connection.

Fig. 26 shows a typical diagram of connections in which theimprovedmulti-contact switch is indicated diagrammatically at 30. Abattery or source of energy is indicated at E and ground connections atG. A horn or audible signal 81 is shown and also signal lamps 82, 83, 84and 85. These signal lamps may be mounted for operating any appropriateform of traffic control signal. For example, the lamp 82 may illuminatea left-hand turn signal, the lamp 83 a slow signal, the lamp 84 a stopsignal, and the lamp 85 a right-hand turn signal. The signals controlledby these lamps may be mounted at the rear of an automobile.

Similar lamps 82, 83, 84 and 85 may also be utilized, if desired, tocontrol a similar traffic signal positioned at the forward end of anautomobile; also a tail lamp 86 is shown controlled by a switch 87.

In the diagram the actuator is represented at 44 and the actuator headcorresponding to head 45 at 45". Contact 62 is represented at 62 andcontact 54 at 54 The operation of the improved controlling system willnow be understood in view of the foregoing detailed description and thedisclosure of the diagram of Fig. 26. When it is desired to execute aright-hand turn signal, the actuator 44 is swung to the right toward thearrow 75. The actuator will be positioned and guided in this movement bythe corresponding slot 66 and the contact disk 48 willengage thecorresponding spring contact 54 (54 in the diagram), thus illuminatingthe right-hand turn lights 85 and 85. Similarly, when a left-hand turnis about to be made, the actuator will be swung to the left illuminatingthe signal lamps 82 and 82 Appropriate movements of the actuator willalso illuminate the lamp 83 for a slow signal, or lamp 84 for a stopsignal. All of the different signals are, therefore, selectivelycontrolled by the selective action of the actuator 44. If it is desiredto operate the stop signal for a parking light, the actuator is lockedin stop position by means of the lock 67 described, thus maintaininglamps 84 and 84 in illuminated condition.

If it is desired to operate the audible signal 81 at any time, eitherwhen any one of the visual signals is displayed, or when none of them isdisplayed, it is only necessary to press downwardly upon the handle 64thus closing contacts 60, 62 (62 in Fig. 26) to complete the circuitthroughthe audible signal 81. The audible sig-.

nal may thus be initiated and discontinued during operation of any ofthe visual signals, or it may be controlled separately and independentlyof the visual signals. After operation of the actuator to any position,it is urged toward neu tral position by cooperation of the spring 50 andthe rocker bearing surfaces 46, 42. Also the actuator stem will bereturned by spring 50 to neutral position after downward bodily movementthereof to operate the audible signal.

It will be observed, referring to Fig. 1, that insulating bushings 31are provided to insulate the supporting arm 31 from the support to whichthe latter is attached, such, for example, as a steering column of anautomobile. The conductor G62 (Figs. 1, 4 and 26) connects the bindingpost 62 to ground. This arrangement permits the audible signal or otherselected circuit to be inde pendently controlled by operation of thehandle 64. It will thus be seen that the circuit including the conuctorG62 is entirely independent of the other circuits and that all of thecircuits are under the selective control of a single actuator.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is:

1. In a switch, in combination, a plurality of contacts, a contactactuator, means whereby said actuator may be moved in different planesto se lectively close different contacts, means where-- by said actuatormay be moved in a plane at an angle to said first mentioned planes toselectively close another contact, automatic means including a singlespring for returning the actuator to neutral position after contactoperation thereby, and locking member movably mounted on said actuatorfor locking said actuator in one of its contact closing positions.

2. In a switch, in combination, a plurality of contacts, a contactactuator including a stem provided with a peripheral bearing surface, amultiple fulcrum supporting seat with which said bearing surfacerockably engages so as to move to selectively close the contacts, andmeans urging said bearing surface against said supporting seat thustending to move the stem to neutral position, said stem having aspheriodally curved guiding surface adjacent said bearing and c0-operating to center the same.

3. In a switch, in combination, a base plate having an opening, aplurality of contacts carried by said plate, a contact actuator having astem passing through said opening and having a bearing forming amultiple fulcrum adjacent the latter upon which the stem may rock indifferent directions, said stem having a spheriodally curved guidingsurface adjacent said bearing and cooperating to center the same.

4. In a switch, in combination, a plurality of contacts, a contactactuator including a stem, a mounting device including a multiplefulcrum seating flange adjacent one end of said stem for swingingmovement thereof in different planes and also for longitudinal movement,a spring operatively connected to said stem and stressed to center thestem through cooperation with said multiple fulcrum seating flange,means whereby said contacts are selectively operated upon swinging orlongitudinal movement of said stem, and means including guiding slots toguide the swinging movement of the stem so as to effect selectiveclosing of the contacts.

5. In a switch, in combination, a plurality of contacts, a swingingactuator for selectively closing the contacts, means including guidingslots to selectively control swinging movement of the actuator, and anadjustable lock carried by the actuator and engaging a slot to lock saidactuator in contact closing position.

6. In a switch, in combination, a base plate having openings, aplurality of spring contacts secured to said base plate and having freeends extending through said openings, an actuator mounted on said baseplate and having a free end extending through one of the said openingsfor movements in different directions, saidactuator including auniversal fulcrum seating flange adjacent its mounting end, and havingadjacent to the latter on said actuator a rockable automatic centeringbearing surface cooperating with the latter said opening to neutralizeoff center action of said seating flange, means to exert a stressupwardly on said actuator, said means operatively cooperating with saidseating flange to automatically neutralize said movements in diiferentdirections of said actuator, a contact member carried by said actuatorand adapted to selectively engage said spring contacts upon movement ofthe said actuator in said different directions.

'7. In a signal switch, in combination, a plurality of circuit-closingcontacts, a contact actuator, a lateral and longitudinal universalmounting for said actuator including a fulcrum seating bearing adjacentmounting end of said actuator and extending peripherally therearouncl, aseat for said fulcrum seating bearing, a spring operatively connected tosaid actuator cooperating to exert an upwardly stress on said universallateral and longitudinal mounting and on said seat to automaticallyneutralize lateral and longitudinal movements of said actuator, andmeans whereby any one of a plurality of said contacts may be selectivelyclosed, and means whereby said actuator may be actuated to close anothersaid contact for operation of an audible signal when one of the othersaid contacts is closed to operate a visual signal.

8. In a signal switch, in combination, a plurality of circuit-closingcontacts, a contact actuator, a universal mounting for said actuatorincluding a fulcrum seating flange adjacent the mounting end of saidactuator, a spring operatively connected to said actuator to exert anupwardly stress on said seating flange to automatically neutralize theuniversal movements of said actuator, and means whereby any one of aplurality of said contacts may be selectively closed for control ofvisual signals, and means whereby said actuator may be actuated to closeanother contact for operation of an audible signal when one of the saidother contacts is closed to operate a visual signal, or when all of thefirst mentioned contacts for visual signals are open.

9. In a switch, in combination, a plurality of contacts, a universalcontact actuator, means for automatic neutralizing action of saidactuator including a seat, a fulcrum seating bearing adjacent mountingend of said actuator and extending peripherally therearound whereby thesaid actuator may be moved laterally to close one of said contacts andlongitudinally to close another said contact, a spring operativelyconnected to said actuator and stressed upwardly cooperating with saidseat and said fulcrum seating bearing to automatically neutralize saidlateral and said longitudinal movements.

10. In a switch, in combination, a plurality of contacts, a contactactuator including a seating flange adjacent its mounting end, auniversal mounting for said actuator for swinging and for

